March 2016 articles

Celebrate World Oral Health Day

Every year on March 20, more than 100 countries unite for World Oral Health Day to celebrate the importance of good oral hygiene.1

The 2016 theme “It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body,” acknowledges that good oral health affects more than just your smile.2 In fact, more than 120 diseases, including diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, leukemia and systemic lupus, can have oral symptoms.3

And it goes even further than that. Some oral health problems are correlated with overall health problems. For example, people with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease, often developing it earlier in life and more severely than their non-diabetic counterparts.4

The good news is that access to preventive dental care improves both oral health and overall health.5 That’s because regular checkups can help your dentist identify these diseases and conditions early – and early detection often results in a better outcome both physically and financially.

So, if you’re overdue for a regular exam, March is the perfect time to take care of your oral health and overall health by making a dental appointment today.